Scotch the Scots
Sir: The interesting thing about English votes for English MPs is that it would mean that Scottish MPs at Westminster would become virtually pointless (Leading article, 3 November). Currently no MP at Westminster can vote on Scottish issues, which is why the problem has arisen in the first place. If the Scottish MPs at Westminster voted the same way as the MSPs, e.g. free tuition at university, it wouldn't be too bad, but they vote for English students to pay for their tuition while Scottish students get theirs free. There is also the issue of free prescriptions and drugs for certain types of cancer and Alzheimer's available north of the border but not in England. Is it any wonder that we want parity?
While Westminster is under the control of so many Scots it's unlikely to happen, but it would be a good vote winner for the Tories. I say to David Cameron 'go for it' — you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Pat Bibby Gloucestershire Sir: I do not recall any sympathy from you during the Thatcher years when Scottish business committees had to be packed with English MPs as the Scots so consistently voted for Labour that there was scarce a Tory MP left north of the border.
Where were your rousing editorials when a Parliament dominated by English Conservatives forced the Scots to accept unpleasant experimental legislation such as stop and search and the poll tax, a year before England? Perhaps you rightly considered it was but the swings and roundabouts of our parliamentary system. Why the outcry when the boot is on the other foot for once?
Dr Ian Olson Aberdeen
Previous page
